COVID-19 & pregnancy
As of 2023 we no longer speak of a Corona pandemic. We increasingly see Corona as a virus that can make us flu-like, but not threatening for most healthy people. Measures, test and isolation advice have also been canceled in our practice, we follow the advice from the RIVM and professional associations for midwives and gynaecologists.
We think it is important that everyone feels comfortable and safe in practice. That is why we ask you to follow the general advice to prevent the spread of (any) virus when you come to the practice. We do not shake hands and may decide to wear a face mask in some situations, for example if we have a cold ourselves.
A positive covid-test in your pregnancy
By definition, pregnant women are relatively young and usually healthy. The symptoms of a Corona-infection are therefore often mild and hospitalization is very rarely necessary. Pregnant women do not get Corona more often than their non-pregnant peers, but they do get sicker on average and are hospitalized more often because of their complaints. This applies in particular to pregnant women older than 35 or with a non-Western background, overweight pregnant women and pregnant women with underlying diseases such as diabetes or lung disorders. In addition, it is more difficult to resuscitate a pregnant woman with serious complications due to the growing belly.
It is not yet clear whether babies in the womb can get the corona virus from their mothers. This has been described incidentally and asks for further research but seems very rare. An infected person can transmit the virus to a newborn baby, but babies usually do not show any symptoms.
One of the symptoms of a Corona infection may be a fever. Long-term fever
(> 38.0°C measured rectally) in pregnancy can be harmful. That is why we advise to use paracetamol in case of fever, up to 8 tablets of 500mg per day. Is your temperature still higher than 38.0 ° C despite paracetamol? Then please contact either us or your GP.
Pregnant: to vaccinate or not to vaccinate...?
In the period April 2021 - February 2023, all pregnant women were advised to get vaccinated against Corona. This advice has now been adjusted: only pregnant women with an increased risk of a serious Corona destination are advised to get vaccinated. You can discuss with us whether you fall into such a risk group.
Worldwide, large numbers of pregnant women have now been vaccinated and boosted against Corona. No short-term risks of the vaccination have been seen for the pregnancy or the unborn child. Adverse long-term effects are unknown but are unlikely because the vaccine is broken down in your body after only a few days. Inmidd The advice is to vaccinate pregnant women with a so-called mRNA vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna.
Studies also show that the antibodies produced by the mother also reach the baby. In this way, the mother can probably give protection against Corona to her baby. There must be at least 3 weeks between the vaccination and the delivery.
Because it is unlikely that the vaccine, like other non-live vaccines, will end up in breast milk, there is no objection to vaccination for breastfeeding women. There are reports that some breastfeeding women experience significant discomfort from the injection in their arm, armpit, and chest. To be on the safe side, you can ask whether you can be vaccinated in your leg, which has no effect on the effectiveness.